REACH Polska

“The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you."

our focus

is to cultivate passionate Polish followers of Jesus who know they are...

RELEASED

into reproducing ministry

EQUIPPED

to do the work of the Church

AFFECTING

their communities relationally

CONNECTING

to God and people through a full worship experience of love and service

Honoring

the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Son, and all others

Why Kraków?

Since May 6, 2014 we've been on a journey

Royal city. Cultural capital. History & hope. New churches, one Kingdom, let's go!

The significance of "place" can not be overstated, our communities define much of our world-view, and often our experience with God. Kraków is an interesting cross-roads for Poland. With over 200k students attending 20+ universities, the nation of Poland is literally educated right here in Kraków.

How awesome is our God for calling us to such a place as this? He is calling us to partner with him in many ways, from family connections through our kids' schools, to bible studies for university students. We're starting here and aiming to grow into a church planting movement throughout Poland, let's go.

We are here to make NEW disciples, (not to transfer existing ones from other churches) who are passionate followers of Jesus who know they are RELEASED into a reproducing ministry and EQUIPPED to do the work of the Church. Followers who are AFFECTING their communities by relationally CONNECTING through a full worship experience that loves and serves both God and people. Followers who HONOR the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Son and all others to REACH Polska.

Districts

12 evangelical churches, most in just two districts

Universities

200,000+ students

million people

within 100KM of Kraków

thousand people

in our district (Dębniki) alone

OUR THOUGHTS

Stories and experiences from the field

A Moment with the Bible His ways and solutions: Exodus 16 (the whole chapter) Context: The Israelites have just left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea and are on their way to the Promised Land. They have been in the desert for a month now and, apart from witnessing one of the most spectacular miracles – parting[…]

We are a movement about honoring the Father, Holy Spirit, the Son, and all others. We desire to be disciples who honor our God in everything we do, even in our mistakes, in our forgiveness, and in our apologies. We recognize humanity is diverse, with each person’s experience being the narrative for their actions, beliefs,[…]

We are a movement about connecting people to God and others through a full worship experience with love and service. It is important to us that disciples understand that God is love, that Jesus served with love, and that the father corrects and restores us through love. We believe that the actions and stories as recorded in[…]

“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. Do not despise these small beginnings, for the lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” – Zechariah 4:9-10[…]

We are a movement about affecting our communities as passionate Polish followers of Jesus. We are sent to live, support, care, and intentionally develop relationships, within our neighborhoods. Intentionally focused on the spiritual and on the practical needs of our neighbors provides the opportunities to connect people to God in worship and service. Always measuring how we are[…]

We are a movement about equipping passionate Polish followers of Jesus. This means discipleship which provides practical ways for people to do ministry, to grow in their spiritual and natural gifts, and to build up the Church as a whole. Equipping people to understand their calling as an apostle, pastor, teacher, evangelist or prophet, above[…]

We are a movement about releasing passionate Polish followers of Jesus. Who are focused on people, building them up in the truths of Jesus, being transparent with our own mistakes, faults, and sins, and pointing ourselves and others towards the ultimate restorative work God wants for all. In all that we do we hope to[…]

We’ve lived in Kraków now for 18 months, and at times it feels like much longer (not in a bad way, just that it’s been a time full of life), and yet it isn’t much time at all on the grand scale of things, nor compared to many other workers here. However, because I’m keenly[…]

Well, we haven’t written here even once since we arrived on May 5th, there’s a lot of reasons for that, but mostly because we wanted to settle in and “find our voice” and not simply be reacting to all the changes. I believe we’re at a good place, though some new changes are right upon[…]

I posted this on Facebook yesterday, but thought it fits right into our experience and heart for Poland. The community life painted in the New Testament is the most beautiful example of humanity coming together, serving one another, sharing with one another, honoring one another (though it took some time), and most of all, sharing[…]

Sometimes a simple Facebook status update, or tweet on Twitter is just not enough to express exactly what compels Alexis and I to serve in Poland. What does it mean to “serve” anyway? I’m sure many of us have read books, heard sermons, and done plenty of talking about the topic of servanthood. But what[…]

It has been a little too long since we last posted on here, so here’s what’s next for the Mielonen clan. These past few months have been extremely full, stressful, and at times we have been at the end of our rope. We’ve done some tuning to our schedule, made some lists, asked for help,[…]

So what does 10+ years in the field look like for us? I don’t know for sure but we’ve got a vision, and it looks something like this: Polish house group leaders Group leaders cultivating other group leaders Intentional living community (this is the big ticket item!) The beginning of looking at sending a team[…]

We’re not confused, we know Portland is not Poland… The road to Poland for us has been marked with false starts, heartache, and frustration. So here’s why we’re still in this, why we will make it there. God called us. Maybe he’s calling you to help us with the following: Monthly budget Living expenses: $3,455/month[…]

One of the things that we struggle with a lot is seeing people (especially our friends and other Christians) buy things which probably are not “needed” – yes that’s a judgement call, and we’re fine that people are buying un-needed things, but what bugs us is that we see this and yet no desire to[…]

Yes, there are dragons of all kinds in Poland, particularly Kraków… although I’ve only seen two, the one above which spews water… and another one near by which at one point use to breath fire if you sent him a text message! Then there is the most real dragon of all, the enemy to our[…]

In about one month we’ll have a new little daughter, Elena Sofia Mielonen is due on November 1st! We’re excited to explore a new personality to enjoy and love on. Emma is becoming more and more excited and we’re enjoying all of her thoughts on how she’ll “help” her sister. As God has worked in[…]

Dear friends in Christ, With the pending miracle of the birth of our new daughter Elena Sofia sometime around November 1st, we have been reflecting on God’s identity and the story of our lives to date. It is imparative that you and I (Travis) are aware of how God is always working to define and refine[…]

These faces and many like them are the future, in this case they are the future of Poland and beyond. These two little girls also need discipleship, and for them it will be through their parents who are challenged with raising children in a world full of confusion, distrust, and false hope. We truly believe[…]